Chidi Samuel/ The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD has expressed profound sadness at the death of two former first ladies, Her Excellency, Noble Lady Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi and Her Excellency, Lady Adanma Okpara who passed on over the weekend.
Late Noble Lady Aguiyi Ironsi was married to Nigeria’s First Military Head of State and Nigeria’s first indigenous Army General, Late General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi, while Lady Adanma Okpara was married to the iconic Late Dr. Micheal Iheonukara Okpara, who served as Premier of the old Eastern Region from 1959 to 1966. Both were aged 97 years.
According to a statement signed the governor’s chief press secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka on Monday, Ikpeazu noted that the death of Noble Lady Aguiyi Ironsi, 24 hours after the death of Lady Adanma Okpara bears some philosophical significance.
“The death, in quick succession, of these two iconic Abia women is very significant. They were both great historical icons. They were both First Ladies. They were both from Umuahia, our state capital”.
Speaking specifically on the country’s first lady, the governor said, “The now late Noble Lady Aguiyi Ironsi, bore with great equanimity and strenght, the death of her dear husband at the height of his career, after just six months in office as Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in July 1966 and has since then remained strong and committed to the ideals of an egalitarian society”, Ikpeazu noted.
“Here in Abia”, Ikpeazu continued, “Noble Lady Aguiyi Ironsi became a personification of the finest ideals of public service and a permanent resource person to successive First Ladies in our state. Till death, she carried herself with great dignity and charisma”.
Governor Ikpeazu observed with pride that Noble Lady Aguiyi Ironsi was undeterred by the tragic death of her husband and managed to groom her children to become great and responsible members of society who also imbibed the finest ideals of public service, especially her first son, a successful career diplomat, His Excellency, Ambassador Tom Aguiyi Ironsi, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Togo and a former Honorable Minister of State, Defence.
Governor Ikpeazu, on behalf of his family, the Government and People of Abia State prays the Almighty God to grant her soul eternal rest and console the entire Aguiyi Ironsi family.
The governor also received with a heavy heart but with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty God for a very fulfilled life, the news of the passing on of the former First Lady of the Old Eastern Region, Her Excellency, Lady Adanma Okpara at the age of 97 years.
According to governor Ikpeazu, the spousal support provideded by Lady Adanma Okpara to her late husband was instrumental to the monumental success he recorded as Premier.
Widowed since December, 1984, Lady Adanma Okpara remained a model of good and excellent womanhood. She was a fountain of knowledge from which most women, especially, here in Abia, drank freely.
Governor Ikpeazu notes with satisfaction that the now late Lady Adanma Okpara remained at her husband’s house in Umuegwu, Ohuhu, Umuahia and continued to play the role of a mother, grandmother and community leader till her final days.
The Governor recalls with nostalgia the moments he spent with her and how passionate she remained about the use of the platform of government to better the lives of the people. She freely shared their experiences about the public service of the first republic.
“Her death”, the Governor notes, “has robbed us of one of our most iconic female living legends”.
Governor Ikpeazu is however thankful to God for the life of Lady Okpara. She lived a fulfilled life, served God and humanity, as well as had the exceptional privilege of seeing her chikdren, grandchildren and great grandchildren. At 97, she saw it all.
The Governor assures that the people of Abia State will always treasure her memories, just the way we continue to treasure the great memories of her late husband. Together, they left imperishable legacies.
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